Tool for preparing fitting and conduit connection

ABSTRACT

A tool is provided to retain a fitting component and a tube gripping device prior to assembly of the fitting and tube gripping device to a conduit end. The tool has a retaining portion that is adapted to retain the fitting component and the tube gripping device on the tool as a single assembly. The tool also protects the fitting component, the tube gripping device, and the conduit end after the fitting component and the tube gripping device are assembled to the conduit end. The tool has a protective portion that is adapted to at least partially cover at least one of the fitting component and tube gripping device after the fitting component and tube gripping device have been assembled to the conduit end.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/255,499 filed on Oct. 20, 2005 for FITTING FORTUBE AND PIPE WITH CARTRIDGE, which is a continuation in part ofco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/112,800 filed on Apr. 22,2005 for FITTING FOR TUBE AND PIPE, all of which are fully incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flareless fittings have been in use for decades for conduits such astubes and pipes. A flareless fitting is used to connect or join two tubeor pipe ends or to connect a conduit end to another assembly such as atank, a valve, a manifold and so on. The applications are as varied asthe types of assemblies with which the fittings are used. One verycommon type of flareless fitting is a ferrule type fitting. In a ferruletype fitting, one or more ferrules are used to join or connect a conduitend to a fitting member, typically called a fitting body. The fittingbody may then be joined to (or be part of) another assembly. In aferrule type fitting, the ferrule or ferrules must establish a fluidtight seal, particularly under pressure, as well as adequately grip theconduit and protect against vibration fatigue. High performancefittings, such as are available from Swagelok Company, Solon, Ohio, arecapable of withstanding pressures many times the rated pressure of thefitting without leaking, without vibration fatigue and without conduitblow out to the point that the conduit will burst before a seal iscompromised or the ferrule(s) can lose their grip on the conduit.

Ferrule style fittings have an advantage over other end connections inthat they do not rely on any special preparation of the tube or pipeend, other than low cost squaring and deburring. This is because theferrules create the seals and tube grip.

Flareless fittings that use ferrules are commonly used in sophisticatedchemical processing apparatus because of their high reliability. Forexample, in the semiconductor industry, such fittings assure containmentof expensive or toxic chemicals. Typically, these applications are highpurity and therefore, rely on conduits made of stainless steel or otherlow corrosion, high strength alloys.

Lower cost markets, such as the automotive industry, have their ownperformance requirements for fluid connections. Most notably, automotiveassembly requires simpler assembly procedures. The automotive industryhas resisted using ferrule type fittings not only for cost reasons, butalso for assembly needs. Ferrules are fairly small annular members thatcan be dropped or lost in low cost, high throughput facilities. Typicalferrule type fittings are also assembled by what is commonly known aspull-up by turns. Two threaded components, such as a nut and body,enclose the conduit end and one or more ferrules. The assembly is firsttightened to a finger tight condition and then a prescribed number ofturns, such as one and a quarter or one and a half turns, are used topull-up the fitting to its final assembled condition. The number ofturns is carefully prescribed to prevent over torque or inadequatepull-up. The automotive industry on the other hand typically wants toassemble parts by torque. This allows a simple torque wrench or tool tobe used to make the final assembly with the assurance that the fittinghas been properly assembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains generally to retaining one or more fittingcomponents for assembly to a conduit end, and subsequently covering orprotecting one or more of the fitting components and/or the conduit endafter the fitting components have been assembled to the conduit end. Inone aspect of the invention, a tool provides a portion for retaining oneor more components of a fitting assembly prior to assembly to a conduitend, and a portion for protecting or at least partially covering atleast one of the fitting component or the conduit end after the fittingcomponent has been assembled to the conduit end.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, one exemplaryembodiment of the invention, a tool is provided to retain a fittingcomponent and a tube gripping device prior to assembly of the fittingand tube gripping device to a conduit end. The tool also protects atleast one of the fitting component, the tube gripping device, and theconduit end after the fitting component and the tube gripping device areassembled to the conduit end. In one embodiment, the tool has aretaining portion that is adapted to retain the fitting component andthe tube gripping device on the tool as a single assembly. The tool hasa protective portion that is adapted to receive and at least partiallyenclose the fitting component and tube gripping device after the fittingcomponent and tube gripping device have been assembled to the conduitend.

In another aspect of the invention, a system for installing one or morefitting components on a conduit end provides for retention of one ormore fitting components together prior to assembly to the conduit andprotection of at least one of one or more of the fitting components andthe conduit after assembly of the one or more fitting components to theconduit end. In one embodiment the system includes a first fittingcomponent having a bore for receiving the conduit end, a tube grippingdevice, a second fitting component having a socket for receiving thetube gripping device and at least part of the first fitting component,and a tool having a retaining portion and a protective portion. Theretaining portion of the tool retains the first fitting component andthe tube gripping device, and may be used to insert the first fittingcomponent and tube gripping device into the socket of the second fittingcomponent. The second fitting component may be used to secure the firstfitting component and the tube gripping device to the conduit end, byinserting the conduit end into the bore of the first fitting componentand tightening the first fitting component into the second fittingcomponent. The protective portion of the tool may receive and at leastpartially enclose the first fitting component and the tube grippingdevice after the first fitting component and tube gripping device havebeen secured to the conduit end.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of preparing a conduitend for installation in a fitting includes retaining one or more fittingcomponents prior to assembling the one or more fitting components to theconduit end, and protecting at least one of the one or more fittingcomponents and the conduit end after assembly of the one or more fittingcomponents to the conduit end. In one embodiment, the method includesretaining a first fitting component and a tube gripping device together.The first fitting component and the tube gripping device are engagedwith the second fitting component, and the conduit end is insertedthrough the first fitting component and the tube gripping device andinto the second fitting component. After the first fitting component istightened with the second fitting component to secure the tube grippingdevice to the conduit end, and the second fitting component isdisassembled from the first fitting component, the tube gripping device,and the conduit end, at least one of the conduit end, the tube grippingdevice, and the first fitting component is covered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-section of a fitting;

FIGS. 1A, B, and C illustrate different thread options for the fittingcomponents of the exemplary fitting shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross section of a first ferrule of the exemplaryfitting shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section of a second ferrule of the exemplaryfitting shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of a nut of the exemplary fitting shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the nut of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross section of the nut and two ferrules ofthe exemplary fitting shown in FIG. 1 where nut and two ferrules areinstalled on a tool;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tool shown in FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8A-B are side cross-sectional views of the exemplary fitting shownin FIG. 1 illustrating various steps in the use of the tool formaking-up the fitting;

FIG. 9 is a half longitudinal cross-section of a fitting shown in thefinger tight condition;

FIG. 10A is a top view of a drive tool for use with the exemplaryfitting shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10B is a side view of the drive tool of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C is a perspective view of another drive tool for use with theexemplary fitting shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10D is a perspective view of the drive tool of FIG. 10C in anassembled condition;

FIG. 11 illustrates a nut and ferrules assembled to a tool;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a tool for retaining one or morecomponents of a fitting assembly;

FIG. 12B is a perspective view of another tool for retaining one or morecomponents of a fitting assembly;

FIG. 12C is a perspective view of another tool for retaining one or morecomponents of a fitting assembly;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of a nut and ferrules assembled to anexemplary tool similar to the tool of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a nut, ferrules, and tube end assembledto the exemplary tool of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the exemplary tool and fittingassembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of a nut and ferrules assembled to atool;

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of a nut, ferrules and tube endassembled to the exemplary tool of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of a nut and ferrules assembled to atool;

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of a nut, ferrules and tube endassembled to the exemplary tool of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a nut and ferrules assembled to a twopiece tool;

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of the exemplary tool and nut andferrules of FIG. 20; and

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of a nut, ferrules, and tube endassembled to one piece of the two piece tool of FIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the invention is described herein with specific reference to avariety of structural and material features, such descriptions areintended to be exemplary in nature and should not be construed in alimiting sense. A tool in accordance with the invention can be used withany fitting that includes fitting components to be held together forassembly, including but not limited to the fittings disclosed in thepresent application, such as, for example, single ferrule tube fittings,two ferrule tube fittings, male threaded tube fittings with femalethreaded nuts, and female threaded tube fittings with male threadednuts. For example, the exemplary embodiments are described primarily interms of a stainless steel tube fitting for automotive applications.Those skilled in the art, however, will readily appreciate that any oneor more of the aspects and features of the invention may be used outsideof the automotive industry, can be used with materials other thanstainless steel and can be used with many conduits including, but notlimited to, tube or pipe. Moreover, many of the aspects of the inventionmay be used for lower pressure fittings, or the higher rated pressureconcepts disclosed herein may be used in a fitting even when the fittingitself will be used in a lower pressure application. Still further, theexemplary embodiments herein illustrate what is commonly known as afemale-style fitting, meaning that a female (i.e. internally) threadedcomponent receives and abuts the conduit end. Many aspects of theinvention will find application in male-style fittings as will beapparent to those skilled in the art. The invention will also findapplication for fitting assemblies that do not require threadedconnections between the fitting components, for example clamped orbolted fittings may be used. The invention will also find applicationfar beyond the exemplary embodiments herein as to connections that canbe made to a wide and ever expansive variety of fluid componentsincluding, but not limited to, other conduits, flow control devices,containers, manifolds and so on. As such, the terms “tube” and “conduit”are used broadly herein and are intended to encompass all fluidcomponents to which such fitting connections described herein may beassembled, including, but not limited to, metal tubing and pipe, plastictubing and pipe, valve, fitting, and manifold end connections, and clampends.

While various aspects of the invention are described and illustratedherein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, thesevarious aspects may be realized in many alternative embodiments, eitherindividually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof.Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations andsub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the presentinvention. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as tothe various aspects and features of the invention, such as alternativematerials, structures, configurations, methods, devices, software,hardware, control logic and so on may be described herein, suchdescriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list ofavailable alternative embodiments, whether presently known or laterdeveloped. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of theaspects, concepts or features of the invention into additionalembodiments within the scope of the present invention even if suchembodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, eventhough some features, concepts or aspects of the invention may bedescribed herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, suchdescription is not intended to suggest that such feature is required ornecessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary orrepresentative values and ranges may be included to assist inunderstanding the present invention however, such values and ranges arenot to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be criticalvalues or ranges only if so expressly stated.

Although various embodiments are described herein with specificreference to the fitting components being made of stainless steel, suchdescription is intended to be exemplary in nature and should not beconstrued in a limiting sense. Those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that the invention may be realized using any number ofdifferent types of metals material for the fitting components, as wellas metal tubing materials, including but not limited to 316, 316L, 304,304L, any austenitic or ferritic stainless steel, any duplex stainlesssteel, any nickel alloy such as HASTALLOY, INCONEL, MONEL, alloy 825,alloy 625, any precipitation hardened stainless steel such as 17-4 PHfor example, brass, copper alloys, any carbon or low allow steel such as12L14 steel for example. An important aspect of the choice of materialsis that the tube gripping device preferably should be case or throughhardened to a ratio of at least 3.3 and preferably 4 or more timesharder that the hardest tubing material that the fitting will be usedwith. Therefore, the tube gripping device need not be made of the samematerial as the tubing itself. For example, the tube gripping device maybe selected from the stainless steel material noted above, or othersuitable materials that can be case hardened, such as magnesium,titanium and aluminum, to name some additional examples.

To facilitate proper assembly and installation of a fitting includingmultiple components, such as, for example, a ferrule style fittingconnection, it may be advantageous to store one or more fittingcomponents together as an assembly, such as, for example a cartridge nutand ferrule set as a cartridge nut assembly, thereby enabling quickerassembly of the nut and ferrules to a fitting body and ensuringinclusion of and proper orientation of the ferrule or ferrules. In someapplications, it may be desirable to pre-assemble one or more fittingcomponents to a tube or conduit end, thereby preparing a conduitassembly to allow for quicker and/or easier pull-up of a fluidconnection at the conduit end in the future. For example, in preparing aconduit for assembly to a ferrule style fitting connection, acorresponding fitting body or threaded tool may be tightened with thenut to partially or fully tighten the ferrules to the conduit, therebyretaining the nut and ferrules on the conduit as a conduit assembly. Bypreparing this conduit assembly in advance, the future assembly of afitting body to the conduit, nut, and ferrules may be performed morequickly and with less torque applied. This pre-tightened conduitassembly, with nut and ferrules assembled to the tube end, may be storedor transported for future installation in a fluid system. Additionally,the conduit may be removed from a fluid system by disassembling the nutfrom the fitting body, with the nut and ferrules being retained on theconduit end. The removed conduit assembly may be stored or transportedfor future installation in the same fluid system or in a different fluidsystem. In either circumstance, it may be desirable to cover or protectat least a portion of the conduit assembly, either to protect theexposed surfaces from damage or contamination, or, in the case of aconduit assembly removed from service, to prevent fluid residue or othercontaminants from leaking out of the conduit assembly.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary fitting 10 includes a firstfitting component 12 that can be realized in the form of a femalethreaded body having internal threads 14. The first fitting component 12joins or connects with a second fitting component 16 that can berealized in the form of a male threaded nut having external threads 18that threadably mate with the threads 14 of the first component 12 whenthe fitting 10 is made-up or assembled. Different thread options andnon-threaded coupling designs may be used for the first and secondfitting components.

FIGS. 1A, B and C illustrate different thread options for a threadedcoupling between the body 12 and nut 16. FIG. 1A illustrates 30° fromnormal (i.e. 60 degrees included angle) symmetrical thread flanks 19 aand 19 b. FIG. 1B illustrates the optional use of a buttress threaddesign in which the thread flanks are asymmetrical with one flank 19 atypically in the range of about 45 degrees and the adjacent flank in therange of about 3 degrees to about 7 degrees from normal. The buttressthread design provides high strength loading on one side to help reduceflaring of the nut during high torque assembly and in high pressureapplications. FIG. 1C illustrates the use of acme threads wherein theflanks again are symmetrical but of a steeper angle such as about 3degrees to about 7 degrees from normal. The acme thread design provideshigher strength loading uniformly compared to the 60 degrees threads.

The fitting 10 further includes a tube gripping device. Ferrules are anexample of a tube gripping device and, in this example, two ferrules areincluded; a front or first ferrule 20 and a back or second ferrule 22.The fitting, however, can be designed for using a single ferrule oralternative tube gripping device. The nut 16 and ferrules 20, 22 fitonto a conduit end T that is received by the body 12.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross section of a first or front ferrule of theexemplary fitting shown in FIG. 1. The first ferrule 20 is a generallyannular part with a generally cylindrical interior wall 24 that slipsover the outer surface S of the tube end T (see FIG. 1). The firstferrule 20 has an outer surface 26 that tapers outwardly in a generallyconical manner from a forward portion 28 to a rearward portion 30. Theforward portion 28 may include a sharp front edge 32 and a rounded noseportion 34. The rearward portion 30 includes a frusto-conical recess 36that forms a camming surface 38. The tapered outer surface 26 mayconverge to an axially aligned flange 40 (wherein the axis X is thecentral longitudinal axis of the conduit and the fitting 10).

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section of a second or back ferrule of theexemplary fitting shown in FIG. 1. The second ferrule 22 is a generallyannular part with a generally cylindrical interior wall 42 that slipsover the outer surface S of the tube end T (see FIG. 1). The secondferrule 22 further includes a nose portion 46 and an axially extendingouter surface 44 that extends about a rearward portion 48 of theferrule. The nose portion 46 includes a sharp front edge 50 and a firsttapered portion 52 that extends toward the rear portion 48 from thesharp edge 50 at a rake angle α of about fifteen degrees, for example.The first tapered portion 52 merges or blends to a second taperedportion 54 along a first curved portion 56 such as a radius, forexample. The second tapered portion 54 merges or blends to the axialportion 44 at a corner or edge 58 which may alternatively be a radius.The second tapered portion 54 extends at an angle β, such as aboutthirty-five degrees, for example.

The second ferrule 22 further includes a back end portion 60 that has adriven surface 62. The driven surface 62 extends radially outwardly atan angle δ, such as about five degrees (referenced from normal to theaxis X), for example. The driven surface 62 merges or blends with theaxial portion 44 along a second curved portion 64.

FIGS. 4-5 illustrate a cross section of a nut of the exemplary fittingshown in FIG. 1. The nut 16 has an overall cylindrical configurationdefining a central bore 66 that receives the tube end T during assembly.The nut 16 has a front end 68 that defines a socket, recess or cage 70.The socket 70 is defined by a cylindrical first portion 72 and afrusto-conical portion 74 that tapers radially inwardly towards a backend 75 of the nut 16. The frusto-conical portion 74 forms a drivesurface that contacts the driven surface 62 of the second or backferrule during pull-up. The drive surface 74 is formed at an angle τ,such as about fifteen degrees, for example.

The socket 70 is formed within an axially extending and generallycylindrical wall or cartridge 76. The cartridge 76 is sized to retainthe back ferrule 22 and at least a portion of the rearward portion 30 ofthe front ferrule 20 therein, to form a nut and ferrule assembly orcartridge nut assembly 78 (see FIG. 6). The term cartridge as usedherein is a shorthand reference to the concept of a fitting component,in this example a male threaded nut 16 having a structure that canretain one or more ferrules therewith even when the assembly isuninstalled with the mating fitting component. Thus, the cartridge nutassembly 78, which includes the cartridge nut 16 and one or moreferrules 20, 22, may be used to retain the ferrules and nut togetherwhen the assembly is either uninstalled or only installed in the body 12in a finger tight condition.

Many different techniques may be used to retain the ferrule or ferrules20, 22 within the cartridge nut 16 prior to final pull-up or eveninitial assembly into the mating fitting component. For example, anon-contaminating glue or adhesive may be used to hold the ferrules 20,22 in place, with the glue releasing its grip under the force ofpull-up. Alternatively, the cartridge wall 76 may be slightly crimpedradially inwardly to retain the ferrules 20, 22 therein. Still further,an adhesive may be used that breaks down into a lubricant upon pull-upto help reduce pull-up torque. In an embodiment disclosed herein, a toolis used to hold the parts together as a cartridge nut assembly 78 (seeFIG. 6).

With reference to FIG. 5, the cartridge 76 may include a tapered portion82 that tapers radially outwardly towards the back end 75 of the nut 16.The tapered portion 82 extends at an angle θ, such as for example aboutforty-five degrees.

The nut 16 further includes a tool engagement portion 80 that allows atorque wrench or other tool to be used to tighten and pull-up thefitting 10. The tool engagement portion 80 in the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 1 is realized as a hex portion 80. The tool engagement portion80 can be formed in variety of ways. For example, the nut 16 may includea key hole that allows a corresponding keyed wrench to be used totighten and pull-up the fitting, as described in relation to FIGS.9-10D.

The nut 16 may further include a neck 77 of somewhat reduced outerdiameter between the threads 18 and the tool engagement portion 80. Theneck 77 may be used to provide an intrinsic gauging function to verifyproper pull-up for both pull-up by torque and pull-up by turns. Byintrinsic gauging is meant a structure or feature associated with thefitting itself (as contrasted with a separate tool or gauge) thatprovides an indication to the assembler that the fitting has beenproperly assembled and pulled up. A large variety of structures orfeatures can perform the intrinsic gauging function, some examples ofwhich are disclosed in International Application No. 03/07739 and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/711,353, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,457 B2,the entire disclosures of which are fully incorporated herein byreference. A gap gauge may also be used in a known manner to confirmproper pull-up of the fitting 10.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross section of the nut 16 and two ferrules20, 22 of the exemplary fitting shown in FIG. 1 where nut and twoferrules are installed on a tool 103. The tool 103 provides a convenientway to hold the cartridge nut 16 and one or more ferrules 20, 22together as a single assembly 78 prior to make-up of a fitting 10. Thus,the assembly 78 and tool 103 together provide a single unit 104 that canbe installed in a mating fitting component, such as for example thefemale fitting component 12, so that an assembler only needs to handletwo fitting parts. As a result, there are no loose ferrules to assemble,and the ferrules can be installed at the manufacturer to avoidinstallation errors. Other techniques for providing a cartridge nutassembly such as the use of an adhesive have been described hereinabove.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective of an exemplary embodiment of the tool103. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the tool 103 includes a head 105that can be manually gripped or can be gripped by a simple tool such aspliers. The tool 103 is a single plastic element but other materials maybe used as required. Flexible fingers 106 a and 106 b extend from thehead 105 and include at their respective distal end, a raised lip 107 aand 107 b. The lips 107 a,b and head 105 define a slot or carriage 108onto which the cartridge nut 16 and the ferrules 20, 22 can beinstalled. The flexible fingers 106 a,b radially compress enough toallow the nut 16 and then the ferrules 20, 22 to move over the lips 107a,b toward the head 105. Once past the lips 107 a,b, the fingers 106 a,bsnap back outward, thus retaining the ferrules 20, 22 and nut 16together on the tool 103 as a single assembly 78.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate various steps in the use of the tool 103 tomake up the fitting 10. To make up the fitting 10, the assembly 78 isinserted into the female body 12 and the assembler can easily use fingerpressure to rotate and threadably engage the nut 16 and the body 12 (orrotate the nut into a female port in another body). As the nut 16 isthreaded into the body 12, the lips 107 a,b will engage a surface insidethe body 12, in this case the first camming surface 92. Further axialdisplacement of the assembly 78 and tool 103 into the body 12 causes thefingers 106 a,b to be radially compressed due to a camming actionagainst the body 12.

The continued axial displacement of the assembly 78 and tool 103 causesthe fingers 106 a,b to compress sufficiently for the lips 107 a,b to bedimensionally smaller than the inside diameter of the ferrules 20, 22and the nut 16. The tool 103 thus self disengages from the ferrules.When this occurs, the tool 103 can be easily extracted from the assembly78 and body 12. Note that the tool 103 can be easily adapted to any sizefitting, and also can be color coded or provided with other indicia toindicate information about the assembly 78, such as the size, materials,pull-up torque and so on. For example, a groove 109 or other suitablemarking, indicia or structure may be provided on the tool 103 to providea visual indication to the user that the fitting has been adequatelymade up in the finger tight position to allow easy removal of the tool.As illustrated in FIG. 8B, the forward ends of the lips 107 a and 107 bof the tool may optionally engage a surface of the body 12 to retardfurther axial advancement of the tool into the body 12. This event willbe readily identified by the operator as a significant increase intorque so that the operator tactually knows that the tool can beremoved.

FIG. 9 is a half longitudinal cross-section of another exemplary fittingof the present invention. In this embodiment, the fitting 180 includes abody 182 and ferrules 184, 186 that may be similar in design to theembodiments described hereinabove. In this embodiment, however, fitting180 includes a different nut 188. The nut 188 has a generallycylindrical configuration that defines a passage 190 for receiving atube end T. The nut 188 has an external thread 192 for engagement withthe internal thread 194 of a female fitting component, such as thefitting body 182, for example. The nut 188 has a rear face or outer face196 that includes one or more key holes 198. Each key hole 198 isadapted to receive and be driven by a key tab 200 of a keyed drive tool202, 202′.

The keyed drive tool 202, 202′ may take a wide variety of differentforms. Examples of suitable drive tools include, but are not limited to,the drive tools 202, 202′ shown in FIGS. 10A-10D. Any drive tool thatincludes a keyed tab or tabs configured to engage the hole or holes 198in a nut 188 may be used.

In the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 10A and 10B, the drive tool 202is a keyed wrench having an elongated handle portion 203 with agenerally rectangular cross-section. The cross-sectional shape of thehandle portion 203 can be other than rectangular. For example, thehandle portion 203 could have an oval or circular cross section. The keytab 200 extends from the handle portion 203 at about a right angle. Thekey tab 200 may extend from the handle portion 203 at an angle otherthan a right angle, though a right angle is preferred. The key tab 200is adapted to mate with the key hole 198 to allow the keyed wrench 202to rotate the nut 188 sufficiently to pull up the fitting 180.

The key wrench 202 also includes a clearance opening 204 extending alonga central axis 206 of the handle portion 203. The clearance opening 204is sized and positioned to allow the key wrench 202 to straddle theconduit and engage the nut 188 without the tube interfering.

In an embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 10C and 10D, the drive tool 202′is a hex tool adapted to engage with the key holes 198 on the nut 188.The hex tool 202′ allows the nut 188 to be tightened or loosened with amore conventional hex wrench. The hex tool 202′ of the illustratedembodiment includes two body halves 243 a, 243 b provided withcorresponding alignment pins 246 a, 246 b and mating holes 245 a, 245 bfor joining the two body halves 243 a, 243 b. When joined, the two bodyhalves 243 a, 243 b define an internal bore or clearance opening 244 forreceiving the tube T (see FIG. 9). The two-piece construction of the hextool 202′ allows the tool to be assembled around tubing for which a freetube end is not accessible, such as tubing that has already beeninstalled in a fluid system. The alignment pins 246 a, 246 b and matingholes 245 a, 245 b may, but need not, be provided with a slightinterference fit to allow the body halves 243 a, 243 b to remain joinedonce assembled around the circumference of the tube T. Both body halvesare provided with protruding key tabs 240 a, 240 b that are adapted toalign with and be inserted into corresponding key holes 198 in the nut188, shown in FIG. 9.

To tighten or loosen the cylindrical nut 188, the body halves 243 a, 243b are joined around the tube T and the tangs 240 a, 240 b are insertedinto the key holes 198. A hex wrench (not shown) is then applied to thehex flats of the hex tool and turned in a tightening or looseningdirection to adjust the nut 188 accordingly. Upon completing theadjustment, the hex tool 202′ is removed from the fitting assembly toprevent subsequent adjustments of the nut 188.

The length of the nut 188 is selected so that, when the nut is fullyscrewed into the fitting body 182, the rear face 196 of the nut 96 isflush with the end of the body 182, or is recessed. There is no standardhex configuration projecting from the fitting body 182. As a result, thechance of inadvertent loosening or removal of the nut 188 is reducedsince the ability to disassemble the fitting 180 is restricted to onlythose personnel that have the specific keyed wrench 202. In addition,providing different positions for the key hole 198 on the nut 188 mayallow specific products (sizes, etc.) to be manufactured in combinationwith specific wrenches.

Further, because the nut 188 does not project from the fitting body 182,the assembled fitting 180 is smaller. This can be beneficial inapplications in which space is at a premium, for example, automotiveapplications. Finally, the nut 188 is also beneficial as it may allowfor cost reduction, since the complete nut can be silver plated (forlubrication of the threads 192) without the need to selectively platethe threads or to strip plating off of the hex area (as is done forstandard female nuts) for cosmetic effect. Thus, silver platting can beaccomplished by dipping the entire nut 188.

FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of use of the tool or arbor 103.In this embodiment, the tool 400 is sized so as to receive and retain afemale threaded nut 402 and associated front and back ferrules 404 and406. The arrangement may also be used with a single ferrule design. Theoperation and use of the tool 400 may be as described herein before withthe embodiment of FIG. 6. Use of the tool 400 allows the manufacturer toprovide the end user with a nut and ferrule assembly with the ferrulesand nut already combined properly in a single subassembly 410 of partsfor installation onto a tube end having an associated male threaded body(not shown). The tool 400 may include a grip 408 to allow easier manualgrasping of the tool for removing the tool after the nut 402 andferrules have been assembled onto an associated body.

FIGS. 12A-C and 14-20 illustrate additional embodiments of a tool of thetype shown in FIG. 6, in which the tool is adapted to provide aprotective device for protecting the nut, ferrules, and/or tube endafter the ferrules have been at least partially tightened on the tubeend. Often the nut and ferrules of a fitting assembly are pre-assembledwith a tube end using a corresponding fitting body or a pre-tighteningtool having threads for assembly with the nut, in order to facilitatefuture installation of the tube end in a fitting, as illustrated in FIG.15. The protective device, such as, for example, a cap or protectivecover, may at least partially cover the nut, the ferrules, and/or thetube end of this assembly, which may prevent damage to or contaminationof the surfaces of these components during storage or transportation ofthe assembly prior to installation in a fluid system.

The tool contemplated by the invention may be used with any fitting thatincludes fitting components to be held together for assembly with aconduit or other connection, including but not limited to the fittingsdisclosed in the present application, such as single ferrule tubefittings, two ferrule tube fittings, male threaded tube fittings withfemale threaded nuts, and female threaded tube fittings with malethreaded nuts.

In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 13, a tool 500includes a head 505 that can be manually gripped or can be gripped by atool such as, for example, pliers. The tool 500 may be a single plasticelement, but other materials or combinations of components may be usedas required. A retaining portion of the tool may be in any configurationthat holds the nut and ferrules for future assembly to a tube end. Inthe examples, flexible fingers 506 a and 506 b extend from the head 505to form a retaining portion or arbor 506. The fingers 506 a, 506 b mayinclude at their respective distal ends, raised lips 507 a, 507 b. Thelips 507 a, 507 b and head 505 define a slot or carriage 508 onto whichthe cartridge nut 16 and the ferrules 20, 22 can be installed, as shownin FIG. 13. The flexible fingers 506 a, 506 b radially compress enoughto allow the nut 16 and then the ferrules 20, 22 to move over the lips507 a, 507 b toward the head 505. Once past the lips 507 a, 507 b, thefingers 506 a, 506 b snap back outward, thus retaining the ferrules 20,22 and nut 16 together on the tool.

In the exemplary embodiment, there is a protective portion. Theprotective portion may take a wide variety of different configurations.For example, the protective portion may be adapted to completely coverone or more of the nut, ferrules, and conduit end, or the protectiveportion may be adapted to partially cover one or more of the nut,ferrules and conduit end, which may provide sufficient protection forthe fitting components by preventing damage or contamination resultingfrom contact with another surface. The tool 500 of the exemplaryembodiments shown in FIGS. 12A, 13, 14, and 15 includes a pair of prongs510 a, 510 b which extend from the head 505 to form a protective portion510. The prongs 510 a, 510 b may include at their respective distalends, inward protrusions or tangs 512 a, 512 b. The tangs 512 a, 512 bmay be positioned and dimensioned to align with a recess in the externalsurface of the nut 16, such as the thread relief 17, or the spacebetween the male threads and the nut hex, thereby preventing theprotective portion from falling off when assembled to the nut 16, asshown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The prongs 510 a, 510 b may be in anyorientation with respect to the retaining portion 506. For example, inthe exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 12A and 14, the prongs 510 a, 510 bare oriented perpendicular to the fingers 506 a, 506 b, while in theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 13, the prongs 510 a, 510 b are orientedparallel with the fingers 506 a, 506 b. The head 505 of the tool 500 mayform an upper or covering surface of the protective portion 510. In theexample illustrated by FIG. 12A, the head 505 may be provided with abore 515 positioned to receive the tube end T when the protectiveportion 510 is assembled over the nut 16, ferrules 20, 22, and tube endT, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. It should be noted that the protectiveportion may comprise any structure that at least partially encloses,covers, or protects the nut 16, ferrules 20, 22, or tube end T, such asa cup-shaped extension 510′ or plug 510″, as shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C,respectively. The cup-shaped extension 510′ of the tool 500′ of FIG. 12Bmay be adapted to completely cover a nut 16 and ferrules 20, 22assembled to a tube end T, and may be provided with female threads on aninternal surface (not shown) for engaging the male threads of the nut16. The plug 510″ of the tool 500″ of FIG. 12C may be sized to fitsnugly in the tube bore, and/or may be surrounded by a lip or ridge 512″adapted to engage or grip the outer diameter of the tube end T.

As with the tool 103 shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8A, and 8B and describedabove, the assembly 78 may be inserted into the socket of acorresponding female fitting body 12, with the tool 500 self-disengagingfrom the assembly 78 upon finger-tight installation of the assembly 78in the fitting body 12, allowing the tool 500 to be removed and the tubeend T to be inserted into the assembly 78. By tightening the nut 16 intothe fitting body 12, the ferrules are secured to the tube end T, asshown, for example, in FIG. 9. To assemble the nut and ferrules to thetube end T, the nut may be fully tightened to the fitting body, as if afitting connection were being made up with the fitting body, or the nutmay be only partially tightened to the fitting body, or not fully pulledup, with sufficient torque applied to deform the ferrules enough tograsp the tube end T. The fitting body 12 may then be disassembled fromthe pre-tightened conduit assembly 79, which includes the nut 16,ferrules 20, 22, and tube end T. In a method of preparing a conduit endfor installation in a fitting according to exemplary embodiments shownin FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 13-15, a first fitting component or nut 16and one or more tube gripping devices or ferrules 20, 22 are retained ona retaining portion or arbor 506 of the tool 500. The nut 16, ferrules20, 22 and the retaining portion 506 are engaged with a second fittingcomponent or fitting body 12 by threading the nut 16 and body 12together, thus creating a single fitting assembly. As the nut 16 isthreaded into the body 12, the lips 507 a, 507 b will engage a surfaceinside the body 12, in this case the first camming surface 92. Furtheraxial displacement of the assembly 78 and tool 500 into the body 12causes the fingers 506 a, 506 b to be radially compressed due to acamming action against the body 12. The continued axial displacement ofthe cartridge nut assembly 78 and tool 500 causes the fingers 506 a, 506b to compress sufficiently for the lips 507 a, 507 b to be dimensionallysmaller than the inside diameter of the ferrules 20, 22 and the nut 16.The tool 500 thus self disengages from the ferrules. When this occurs,the tool 500 can be easily extracted from the cartridge nut assembly 78and body 12 while the ferrules are retained by the fitting body 12 andthe nut 16.

Once the tool has been extracted from the single fitting assembly, aconduit end may be inserted through the nut 16 and into the body 12 forassembly with the nut 16 and ferrules 20, 22. By tightening the nut 16and fitting body 12, the ferrules 20, 22 are deformed to grip theconduit end T, forming a conduit assembly 79 including the nut 16,ferrules 20, 22, and tube end T. This tightening may prepare the conduitend T, ferrules 20, 22, and nut 16 for future assembly to a fitting body12, either the same body 12 used to secure the nut and ferrules to theconduit end T or a different body 12, such as a fitting body 12 alreadyinstalled in a fluid system.

To protect this conduit assembly 79, the protective portion 510 of thetool 500 may be assembled over the tube end T, ferrules 20, 22, and/ornut 16, as shown in FIG. 14. The protective portion 510 may cover onlyportions of one or more of the conduit end T, ferrules 20, 22, and nut16, as is shown in FIG. 12A. Alternatively, the protective portion maycompletely cover one or more of the conduit end T, ferrules 20, 22, andnut 16, as is shown in FIG. 12B. Also, the protective portion may serveto plug the tube end T to prevent contaminants from entering theconduit, as is shown in FIG. 12C. The tangs 512 a, 512 b of theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 14 align with the thread relief of the nut16, holding the prongs 510 a, 510 b to the sides of the nut 16. Theconduit end T is inserted in the bore 515, further aligning and securingthe protective portion 510 on the conduit assembly 79. Additionally, thetool 500 may be provided with any type of separable connection betweenthe protective portion and the retaining portion to allow the retainingportion to be separated from the protective portion by separating ordividing the tool at the separable connection. In the exemplaryembodiment, the separable connection is a necked-down portion or groove518 between the protective portion 510 and the retaining portion 506,which allows the retaining portion 506 to be separated or broken offfrom the protective portion 510 by fracturing the tool at the groove518. In other embodiments (not shown), this separable connection mayinclude any type of a pinched, necked-down, or perforated cross-section,an adhesive or similar breakable joint, by fasteners, or a threadedconnection (not shown). By separating the retaining portion 506 from theprotective portion 510 after the nut 16 and ferrules 20, 22 have beenassembled to the tube end T, the capped assembly may take up less space,making it easier to store and transport the conduit assembly 79. FIG. 15shows a cross section of the capped conduit assembly 79 after theretaining portion 506 has been separated from the protective portion510.

FIGS. 16-19 illustrate exemplary embodiments of a retaining toolconfigured to be used with a fitting assembly having a male threadedfitting body and a female threaded nut. However, it should be noted thatthe tool contemplated by the invention can be used with any fitting thatincludes fitting components to be held together for assembly, includingbut not limited to the fittings disclosed in the present application,such as single ferrule tube fittings, two ferrule tube fittings, malethreaded tube fittings with female threaded nuts, and female threadedtube fittings with male threaded nuts.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17, a tool 600 includes ahead 605 that can be manually gripped or can be gripped by a simple toolsuch as pliers. The tool 600 may be a single plastic element, but othermaterials or combinations of components may be used as required. Aretaining portion of the tool may be in any configuration that holds thenut and ferrules in a pre-assembled arrangement. In the example,flexible fingers 606 a and 606 b extend from the head 605 to form aretaining portion or arbor 606. The fingers 606 a, 606 b may include attheir respective distal ends, raised lips 607 a, 607 b. The lips 607 a,607 b and head 605 define a slot or carriage 608 onto which the femalenut 402 and the ferrules 404, 406 can be installed, as shown in FIG. 16.The flexible fingers 606 a, 606 b radially compress enough to allow thenut 402 and then the ferrules 404, 406 to move over the lips 607 a, 607b toward the head 605. Once past the lips 607 a, 607 b, the fingers 606a, 606 b snap back outward, thus retaining the ferrules 404, 406 and nut402 together on the tool 500 as a single assembly 678.

In the exemplary embodiment, there is a protective portion, which may beused to protect one or more of the nut, ferrules, and conduit end afterthe nut and ferrules have been secured to the conduit end to form aconduit assembly. The protective portion can take a wide variety ofdifferent configurations. For example, the protective portion cancompletely cover one or more of the nut, ferrules, and conduit end, orthe cap can partially cover one or more of the nut, ferrules and conduitend, which may provide sufficient protection for the fitting componentsby preventing damage or contamination resulting from contact withanother surface. The tool of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 16and 17 includes a pair of prongs 610 a, 610 b which extend from the head605 to form a protective portion 610. The prongs 610 a, 610 b mayinclude at their respective distal ends, inward protrusions or tangs 612a, 612 b. The tangs 612 a, 612 b may be positioned and dimensioned toalign with a recess or shoulder in the external surface of the nut 402,such as the edge of the female nut hex 417, thereby preventing theprotective portion from falling off when assembled to the nut 402, asshown in FIG. 17. The head 605 of the tool 600 may form an upper orcovering surface of the protective portion 610. As such, the head 605may be provided with a bore 615 positioned to receive the tube end Twhen the protective portion 610 is assembled over the nut 402, ferrules404, 406, and tube end T.

It should be noted that the protective portion may comprise anystructure that at least partially encloses, covers, or protects the nut402, ferrules 404, 406, or tube end T. One such alternative exemplaryembodiment is the tool 600′ illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19. While theexemplary retaining portion 606′ functions in the same manner as theexemplary retaining portion 606 of the exemplary tool 600 of FIGS. 16and 17, the exemplary protective portion 610′ is a plug typeconfiguration provided with a male threaded portion 612′ adapted tothreadably engage with the female threads of the nut 402. A socket 614′in the protective portion 610′ provides clearance for the ferrule 404,while a bore 615′ in the head 605′ at the base of the socket 614′ ispositioned to receive the tube end T.

As with the tool 500 of FIGS. 12A-15, the tools 600, 600′ of FIGS. 16-17and 18-19, respectively, may be provided with a necked-down portion orgroove 618, 618′ between the respective protective portions 610, 610′and the retaining portions 606, 606′, which allows the retaining portion606, 606′ to be separated or broken off from the protective portion 610,610′ by fracturing the tool at the groove 618, 618′. This groove 618,618′ may include any type of a pinched, necked-down, or perforatedcross-section of the tool 600, 600′ as would facilitate such a fracture.Alternatively, the protective portion and retaining portion of the toolmay be separably attached by other separable connections, such as, forexample, by fasteners, adhesive, break-away tabs, or a threadedconnection (not shown). By breaking the retaining portion 606, 606′ fromthe protective portion 610, 610′ after the nut 402 and ferrules 404, 406have been assembled to the tube end T, the capped conduit assembly maytake up less space, as shown in FIG. 17 for tool 600 and in FIG. 19 fortool 600′, making it easier to store and transport the conduit assembly.

FIGS. 20-22 illustrate yet another embodiment of a fitting assembly andretaining tool. This exemplary embodiment employs a two piecearrangement in which the retaining portion is provided on a separateretaining piece 700A and the protective portion is provided on aseparate protective piece 700B. The retaining piece 700A and theprotective piece 700B may each be provided with flush end surfaces 701A,701B for easier storage and stacking of the nut 16 and ferrule 20, 22sets. A retaining portion of the retaining piece 700A may be in anyconfiguration that holds the nut 16 and ferrules 20, 22 in apre-assembled arrangement. In the example, as shown in FIG. 21, flexiblefingers 706 a and 706 b extend from a head 705A to form a retainingportion or arbor 706. The fingers 706 a, 706 b may include at theirrespective distal ends, raised lips 707 a, 707 b. The lips 707 a, 707 band head 705 define a slot or carriage 708 onto which the cartridge nut16 and the ferrules 20, 22 can be installed, as shown in FIG. 21. Theflexible fingers 706 a, 706 b radially compress enough to allow the nut16 and then the ferrules 20, 22 to move over the lips 707 a, 707 btoward the head 705. Once past the lips 707 a, 707 b, the fingers 706 a,706 b snap back outward, thus retaining the ferrules 20, 22 and nut 16together on the retaining piece as a single assembly 78.

The protective piece of the exemplary embodiment of the invention cantake a wide variety of different configurations. For example, theprotective portion can completely cover one or more of the nut,ferrules, and conduit end, or the cap can partially cover one or more ofthe nut, ferrules and conduit end, which may provide sufficientprotection for the fitting components by preventing damage orcontamination resulting from contact with another surface. Theprotective piece 700B of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 20-22includes a pair of prongs 710 a, 710 b which extend from the head 705Bto form a protective portion 710. The prongs 710 a, 710 b may include attheir respective distal ends, inward protrusions or tangs 712 a, 712 b.The tangs 712 a, 712 b may be positioned and dimensioned to align with arecess in the external surface of the nut 16, such as the thread relief17, or the space between the male threads and the nut hex, therebypreventing the protective portion from falling off when assembled to thenut 16, as shown in FIGS. 20-22. The head 705B of the protective piece700B may form an upper or covering surface of the protective portion710. As such, the head 705B may be provided with a bore 715 positionedto receive the conduit end T when the protective portion 710 isassembled over the nut 16, ferrules 20, 22, and tube end T, as shown inFIG. 22. It should be noted that the protective portion may comprise anystructure that at least partially encloses, covers, or protects the nut16, ferrules 20, 22, or tube end T, such as a cup-shaped extension orplug (not shown). As with the tool 500 of FIGS. 12A-15, the retainingpiece 700A may be discarded after the nut 16 and ferrules 20, 22 havebeen assembled to the tube end and the protective piece 700B has beenassembled to the conduit assembly, as shown in FIG. 22. In analternative embodiment, the retaining piece 700A and the protectivepiece 700B may be provided as an integral plastic component withadjoining flush breakaway ends to maintain a reduced size for either theretained cartridge nut assembly 78 or the capped conduit assembly 79.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferredembodiments. Modification and alterations will occur to others upon areading and understanding of this specification. It is intended toinclude all such modifications and alterations insofar as they comewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. A tool for holding one or more fitting components together prior toassembly of the fitting components to a conduit end and for protectingat least one of the one or more fitting components and the conduit endafter assembly of the one or more fitting components to the conduit end,the tool comprising: a retaining portion adapted to retain the one ormore fitting components on the tool; and a protective portion adapted toat least partially cover at least one of the one or more fittingcomponents and the conduit end after the fitting components have beenassembled to the conduit end.
 2. The tool of claim 1, wherein theretaining portion and the protective portion extend in oppositedirections.
 3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the protective portionfurther comprises a bore adapted to receive the conduit end.
 4. The toolof claim 1, wherein the tool is adapted such that the retaining portionmay be separated from the protective portion.
 5. The tool of claim 4,further comprising a groove between the retaining portion and theprotective portion, wherein the retaining portion may be separated fromthe protective portion by fracturing the tool at the groove.
 6. The toolof claim 1, wherein the cap comprises a plurality of prongs, adapted toengage an external surface of the fitting component.
 7. The tool ofclaim 6, wherein each of the plurality of prongs comprises a tang forgripping the external surface of the fitting component.
 8. The tool ofclaim 1, wherein the protective portion comprises a cup adapted tocompletely cover at least one of the fitting component and the tubegripping device.
 9. The tool of claim 1, wherein the protective portionis adapted to at least partially cover male threads on the fittingcomponent.
 10. The tool of claim 1, wherein the protective portion isadapted to at least partially cover female threads on the fittingcomponent.
 11. A tool for holding a fitting component having a centralthrough bore together with a tube gripping device as a single assemblyprior to assembly of the fitting component and tube gripping device to aconduit end, and for at least partially covering at least one of thefitting component, tube gripping device, and conduit end after assemblyof the fitting component and tube gripping device to the conduit end,the tool comprising: retaining means for retaining the fitting componentand the tube gripping device on the tool as a single assembly; andcovering means for receiving and at least partially covering at leastone of the fitting component and the tube gripping device after thefitting component and tube gripping device have been assembled to theconduit end.
 12. A system for installing a fitting on a conduit end, thesystem comprising: a first fitting component having a bore for receivingthe conduit end; a tube gripping device; a second fitting componenthaving a socket for receiving the tube gripping device and at least partof the first fitting component, the first and second fitting componentsbeing adapted to secure the tube gripping device to the conduit end whenthe conduit end is inserted in the bore of the first fitting componentand the first fitting component is tightened into the second fittingcomponent; and a tool, comprising a retaining portion and a protectiveportion; wherein the retaining portion is adapted to retain the firstfitting component and the tube gripping device; the retaining portion isfurther adapted to insert the first fitting component and the tubegripping device into the socket; and the protective portion is adaptedto at least partially cover at least one of the first fitting componentand the tube gripping device after the first fitting component and thetube gripping device have been assembled to the conduit end.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the retaining portion and the protectiveportion extend in opposite directions.
 14. The system of claim 12,wherein the protective portion further comprises a bore adapted toreceive the conduit end.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the tool isadapted such that the retaining portion may be separated from theprotective portion.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the tool furthercomprises a groove between the retaining portion and the protectiveportion, wherein the retaining portion may be separated from theprotective portion by fracturing the tool at the groove.
 17. The systemof claim 12, wherein the protective portion of the tool comprises aplurality of prongs.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein each of theplurality of prongs comprises a tang for gripping the fitting component.19. A system for installing a fitting on a conduit end, the systemcomprising: a first fitting component having a bore for receiving theconduit end; a tube gripping device; a second fitting component having asocket for receiving at least a portion of the tube gripping device andthe conduit end, the first and second fitting components being adaptedto secure the tube gripping device to the conduit end when the conduitend is inserted in the bore of the first fitting component and the firstfitting component is tightened onto the second fitting component; and atool, comprising a retaining portion and a protective portion; whereinthe retaining portion is adapted to retain the first fitting componentand the tube gripping device; the retaining portion is further adaptedto insert the tube gripping device into the socket when the firstfitting component is assembled to the second fitting component; and theprotective portion is adapted to at least partially cover at least oneof the first fitting component and the tube gripping device after thefirst fitting component and the tube gripping device have been assembledto the conduit end.
 20. A method of preparing a conduit end forinstallation in a fitting having a tube gripping device, a first fittingcomponent, and a second fitting component, the method comprising:retaining the first fitting component and the tube gripping devicetogether; engaging the first fitting component and the tube grippingdevice with the second fitting component; inserting the conduit endthrough the first fitting component and the tube gripping device andinto the second fitting component; tightening the first fittingcomponent with the second fitting component to secure the tube grippingdevice to the conduit end; disassembling the second fitting componentfrom the first fitting component, the tube gripping device, and theconduit end; and covering at least one of the conduit end, the tubegripping device, and the first fitting component.
 21. The method ofclaim 20, further comprising providing a tool with a retaining portionfor retaining the first fitting component and the tube gripping devicetogether.
 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising providing aprotective portion on the tool, wherein covering at least one of theconduit end, the tube gripping device, and the first fitting componentcomprises assembling the protective portion over at least one of theconduit end, the tube gripping device, and the first fitting component.23. The method of claim 22, further comprising separating the retainingportion from the protective portion after the first fitting componentand the tube gripping device have been engaged with the second fittingcomponent.
 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising providing aseparable connection between the retaining portion and the protectiveportion of the tool, wherein separating the retaining portion from theprotective portion comprises separating the tool at the separableconnection.
 25. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing abore in the protective portion of the tool, wherein assembling theprotective portion over at least one of the conduit end, the tubegripping device, and the first fitting component comprises receiving theconduit end in the bore.
 26. The method of claim 22, further comprisingproviding a plurality of prongs in the protective portion of the tool,wherein assembling the protective portion over at least one of theconduit end, the tube gripping device, and the first fitting componentcomprises engaging the prongs with an external surface of the firstfitting component.